Cornell University's men's basketball team will enter the season with major scoring roles to fill and a familiar plan to keep the ball moving quickly.
Cornell cross country teams head to Heps as nationally ranked men seek another top-three finish Coach Jon Jaques begins his third season in Ithaca after a 33-24 record in his first two years. The Big Red, picked fifth in the Ivy League preseason poll, opens Nov. 2 against Pepperdine at Newman Arena, according to Cornell's season outlook.
Cornell has reached five straight Ivy Madness tournaments. Maintaining that run will require a reshaped roster to sustain an offense that led the nation in assists and 3-pointers per game last season.
Replacing the top scorers
Cooper Noard and Jake Fiegen graduated after averaging 18.2 and 17.1 points, respectively, a combined 35.3 points per game. Noard led the Ivy League in scoring.
The departures also include Adam Hinton, Josh Baldwin, DJ Nix, Corbin Zentner and AJ LaBeau. Noard moved to Samford, Fiegen to Villanova and Baldwin to William & Mary as graduate transfers.
Returning players will take on more responsibility. Kaspar Sepp averaged 5.5 rebounds and recorded 73 assists, while Jacob Beccles made 27 starts and contributed 88 assists and 31 steals.
Anthony Nimani shot 56.8% from the field and 52% from 3-point range in 22 games. Gioacchino Panzini, who shot 67.2% overall and 50% from outside, is another potential starter and defensive contributor.
Mateen Rafiq made 19 of 41 3-point attempts, and Ian Imegwu went 22 for 45. Sophomores Ryan Burbach, Blake Lecklitner, Jax Abalos and Elijah Griffin are also part of the returning group.
New players join a demanding offense
The newcomers include 6-foot-6 Quinn Gibson from Winchendon and 6-foot-5 Mikehi Williams, Georgia's 2026 Class 4A player of the year.
Guards Sage Mateo and Trey Williams, 6-foot-8 Carson Davis, and transfers Luke Kennevan from Lock Haven and JJ Sanchez from Citrus College add further options.
Cornell has ranked among the nation's eight fastest-paced teams for five straight seasons. In 2025-26 it averaged 21.3 assists and 12.9 made 3-pointers, both national bests. Its 59.9% effective field-goal percentage ranked fifth, and its 88.5 points per game ranked sixth.
Those numbers describe last season's team, but the outlook makes clear that quick decisions, passing and pace remain the intended identity as roles change.
Syracuse and a West Coast trip on the schedule
The 29-game schedule includes a Nov. 18 visit to Syracuse and road games against St. Bonaventure and Colgate. Home opponents include UNC Greensboro, Bucknell and UAlbany, along with the opener against Pepperdine.
Cornell will face Washington on Dec. 28 and Gonzaga on Dec. 31. Gonzaga went 31-4 last season and enters this season ranked 15th in the preseason AP poll and 12th in the coaches poll, Cornell said.
Ivy League play begins Jan. 5 against Columbia. The Ivy Madness tournament is scheduled for March 12-14 at the Palestra in Philadelphia.
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